Mercy Behavioral Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This is a benefited, exempt, full time position generally working Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Hours will vary as needed. Located at Scripps Mercy San Diego in Hillcrest but may travel to other sites as needed.

Why join Scripps Health?

At Scripps Health, your ambition is empowered and your abilities are appreciated:

• Nearly a quarter of our employees have been with Scripps Health for over 10 years.
• Scripps is a Great Place to Work Certified company for 2026.
• Scripps Health has been consistently ranked as a top employer for women, millennials, diversity, and as an overall workplace by various national publications.
• Becker's Healthcare ranked Scripps Health on its 2026 list of 150 top places to work in health care.
• We have transitional and professional development programs to create a learning environment that enables you to thrive in your specific field as well as in your overall career.
• Our specialties have been nationally recognized for quality in areas such as cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and gastroenterology.

Why Palliative Care? 

• Fast-paced, meaningful outpatient RN role with strong patient interaction every day-ideal if you enjoy building relationships while making a real difference in patients' quality of life.
• Highly collaborative, family-like team environment where coworkers support one another, work closely together, and create a strong sense of connection.
• Great fit for nurses who love teaching and triage, with plenty of opportunities to provide genuine patient education, guide symptom management, and help patients and families feel supported.

What you'll do: 

• Under the supervision of the Nurse Manager serves Scripps Mercy Hospital as a specialized nurse for palliative care. 
• Member of interdisciplinary professional team providing teaching palliative medicine and goals of care consultation for seriously ill patients and their family caregivers. 
• All work done in close collaboration with primary physicians, nursing staff and social workers. 
• Fosters the advancement of palliative care nursing practice through involvement in clinical consultation. 
• Facilitates the development and maintenance of quality, cost-effective palliative care programs and services. 
• Fosters the advancement of palliative care nursing practice. 
• Through involvement in clinical consultation and direct patient care, assesses and improves the patient care process for the palliative care population along the continuum of care, and serves as an expert clinical resource for ensuring quality of care and customer satisfaction. 
• Collaborates with other healthcare professionals to ensure that evidence-based practice is implemented and understood by the staff. 

• Serves as a link integrating relevant research, best practice and clinical delivery processes at Scripps Mercy Hospital, and the broader system. 

• Participates in the group call schedule of the Palliative Care Service.

Required Education/Experience/Specialized Skills: 

• Three years acute care nursing. 

• Broad clinical knowledge and competence, with demonstrated commitment to improving care for the seriously ill and those nearing the end of life. 
• Must possess the ability to be self-directed, and to function autonomously, but must be equally comfortable in seeking guidance and assistance when needed. 
• Must have strong organizational, problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills. 
• Must possess the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. 
• Must possess the ability to balance and handle multiple responsibilities concurrently. 
• Must demonstrate leadership skills and demonstrate positive behaviors, and must be able to represent the Scripps Clinic Medical Group Palliative Care Service and Scripps Health in a variety of professional settings. 
• Skilled teacher with nurses at all levels of training and in diverse education settings (bedside, classroom, professional meetings), and confident mentor and coach for colleagues and staff. 
• Committed to ongoing professional development. 
• Must be able to work flexible hours necessary for assurance of patient care. 
• Must have own transportation and be willing to make home visits when necessary.  
• Must be able to speak, read and follow instructions in English. 
• Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
  Required Certification/Registration:
• California RN license.
• BLS from the American Heart Association.
  Preferred Education/Experience/Specialized Skills/Certification:
• BSN.
• Prior experience in palliative/geriatric/oncology/hospice care.
• Familiarity with Epic.